Coin collector apparatus



July 27, 1937.

o. A. sHANN COIN COLLCTOR APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1955 5 A /Ww 3 Y 4. 2 3 n,... G o .../l 49 5 4 l www. mwa/Jy M a n Q G. n

/NVEA/TOR .OAS/ANN By ATTORNEY Patented July 27, 1937 UNITED STA QFFCE Telephone Laboratories, incorporated, New

York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 2, 1935,` Serial No. 29,435

'i' Claims.

This invention relates to coin collector apparatus for use at telephone pay stations and more particularly t0 that part of the mechanism by means of which a signal is given at the central ofce when a call is desired to be made and the disposition of the deposited coin is controlled from the central oice.

Speciiically, the invention relates to the operation of the switch contacts at a pay station of the type disclosed in O. F. Forsberg Patent 1,043,219.

In the operation of such an apparatus a coin or token is deposited by the subscriber which in its passage operates a mechanism which causes the closure of a switch, whereby a circuit is closed to cause the operation of a signal at the central oice which indicates that-communication is desired. As a part of this mechanism, as described in the Forsberg patent, there is an electromagnet which may be operated in one direction to collect the deposited coin and in the other direction to return the coin tothe depositor. The operating circuit of this electromagnet includes the switch contacts which are closed when the coin is deposited.

Heretofore, there has been a series of levers between the coin-actuated part, called the coin trigger, and the switch contacts. With such an arrangement there is a possibility of a signal being given if the apparatus as a whole is j arred and if the levers are not in proper adjustment, no signal may be given upon the deposit of a coin.

- 'I'he present invention has as an object the simplification of the switch contact actuating mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to insure the actuation of the switch contacts upon the deposit of a coin.

Another object is toy prevent false actuation of the switch contacts.

A further object is to facilitate adjustment of the contact springs.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a part of a telephone coin collector with a portion of the enclosing case removed so that the apparatus of the invention may be seen;

Fig. 2 is a perspective drawing of the switch mechanism, electromagnet, coin chute, etc.;

Fig.y 3 is an enlarged side View showing theV may rotate.

Trunnion screws l5, I6 pivotally support a plate Il by means of perforations in its downd vwardly projecting ears.

(Cl. 19d-16) erence may be had to Forsberg Patent 1,043,219 of November 5,' 1912.- Also, Forsberg Patent 1,117,485 of November 17, 1914 describes an electromagnet and switch arrangement of which this present invention is an improvement. The electromagnet consists of two coils l and 2 having magnetic material cores which terminate in polepieces 3 and fi, so shaped as to leave but a small air-gap when the armature 5 is operated to take a position adjacent either of the pole-pieces.

AThe coils are mounted on a base-plate 6 of magnetic material which in turn is supported in the enclosing case indicated `as a whole in Fig. 1. A piece of magneti'zed material l extends from the base-plate upwards to a point just under the middle of the armature to form part of the magnetic circuit.

A bridge-plate 8 extends between the upper ends of the coils.

l0 which are provided with flanges I I, I2, and I3.

The armature structure comprises the armature proper 5, upon which is mounted preferably by screws a non-magnetic metal supporting plate iii having downwardly projecting ears. 'I'he ears are perforated or indented to receive the points of trunnon screws i5, i6, thus forming a bearing about which the support and attached armature Y Plate Il is provided on each end with downwardly extending projections I8l adapted to be engaged by the armaturev.

The lengths of the projections and the manner of supporting plate l1 permit a slight movement of the armature 5 before engaging the projections. VFlate ll is also provided at each end with a downwardly projecting arm I9 adapted when the armature is rotated to engage the bridgeplate 3 to limit the movement of the armature.

One of the downwardly projecting ears of plate Vli is extended, having at its lower end a fork 2D distriit. These levers are adapted to be engaged by The middle portion of this ybridge-plate has upturned portions 9 and plate il which imparts the motion of armature 5 to either lever 2l or 22, depending upon the direction of movement of the armature.

Springs 23 and 24 attached at their lower ends to framework 25, which, in turn, is fastened preferably by rivets to upturned portion 9 of bridgeplate 8, are attached at their upper ends to levers 2| and 22. Upon the cessation of the magnetic action on armature 5 these springs through the intermediary of levers 2| and 22 return the armature to its normal position. This armature structure is described in more detail in Forsberg Patent 1,117,485 which was previously noted.

Mounted upon anges I2 and I3 of bridgeplate 8 is a framework 26. On the edge of this frame 26 adjacent the coin hopper 21 are bentup portions provided with downwardly projecting tabs 28 and 29 having holes therein to act as bearings for a rod 30 upon which trigger 3| is rotatably mounted. A spring 32 coiled about rod 3D and fastened to trigger 3| tends to move the trigger in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3.

On the side of. framework 26 away from-the trigger 3| there is mounted, by means of flat spring hinges 33, a frame 34. Frame 34 at the corners near the trigger 3| is provided with adjusting screws 35 and 35. Juxtaposed Vholes in vframework 26 permit 'thesescrews to be acted upon by the independently movable levers 2|v and 22. Lever 2| 'acts upon screw 35 and lever 22 acts upon screw 36. Y Y

Near the middle of that edge of the framework 34 n'ear'the trigger is a stud 31 of insulating material adapted to Contact the lower spring 38 of a contact spring pile-up comprising in addition to spring 38, Vsprings 39 and 40. This spring pile-up is mounted with insulating spacers in the well-known manner on the side of frame 34 away from the trigger 3|.

a VSpring 4 is formed on its free end with a hook-shaped projection adapted to contact with and also toride upon cam portion 4| of trigger 3|. In Figs. 1 and-2 spring 4|!) is shown riding on cam 4| while in Fig. 3 spring 4l! is shown acting asa pawl against the cam to hold trigger 3| in a lowered position. This spring 4D is provided with an insulating stud 42 and the spring is so tensioned that when released from riding on cam 4| lit will force the contact members of spring`s38 and 39 together.

As explained in Forsberg Patent 1,043,219, when a coin is depositedin one of the coin openings of. the set and traverses the coin passageways, it is projected into coin hopper 2'| and remains temporarily on a trap near the bottomV of the chute. In passing through the hopper the coin strikes Vthat portion of trigger 3| which extends into the hopper, as shown in Fig. 2.

The trigger is movedain a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in the drawing, by the moving coin and cam portion 4| of the trigger moves away from the hook-shaped'portion of spring 4|). Y Upon being freed, spring 40' forcesV springs 38 and 349 together, thereby closing a circuit which actuates a signal at the central ofce, indicating that it is desired to make a call. Also spring 40 moves down from cam portion 4| -and acts as a pawl against this camportion in its operated position. These springs also close'a circuit over which the coils may be energized.

If the c all is Vcompleted the electromagnet is energized to operate forked arm 20 to collect the coin by current in one direction and if the call is not completed the electromagnet is operated in the opposite direction by current of opposite polarity to return the coin. In either case armature 5 is moved and eitherlever 2| or 22 is moved,

and in turn either adjusting screw 35 or 36 causes spring-hinged framework 34 to rise. By means of insulating stud 3l frame 34 raises all the springs 38, 39 and 40 of the spring pile-up, thereby releasing the trigger 3| from spring 4|). The springs are held in contact maintaining the circuits closed until the armature returns to normal position. Trigger 3l under the actionof spring 32 returns to its normal position and spring 40 is held on the cam portion of the trigger and is restrained from forcing springs 38 and 39 together.

What Yis claimed is:

1. In combination, an electromagnet comprising a pair of electromagnetic elements, a bridge therebetween, an armature pivoted to said bridge, a contact springrpile-up supported by said bridge above said armature, and means comprising a hinged frame to transmit motion from said armature to one or more of the contact springs of CJI to transmitmotion from either of said levers to one or more of the contactrsprings of. said pile- 3. In a coin controlled apparatus, a ncoinhopper, a trigger pivoted externally of said hopperbut projecting therein, arcam forming aV part of said trigger, a contact spring pile-up, one of the springs of said pile-up being held out of contact with another of the springs of said pile-up by the cam portion ofthe trigger when the trigger is in the unoperated position, means tending to maintain said trigger in its unoperated position, said one spring adapted to restrain the return of said trigger to its unoperated position after it has been moved to its operated position, anelectromagnet comprising a pair of electromagnetic elements, a bridgeytherebetween, an armature pivoted to said bridge, an extensionon said bridge upon which said spring pile-up is supported above -said armature, andV means to transmit motion in a ,straight line from said armature to said trigger restraining spring. l Y.

4. Coin controlled apparatus comprising a coin hopper, a trigger pivoted externally of'said hopper but projecting therein for operation by a'deposited coin, said trigger being biased to itsunoperated position, a cam forming a part of said trigger, a spring pile-up, one of said springs contacting directly with said cam portion to Vrestrain the return of said trigger to its unoperated position i60 after said trigger has been moved' by` a deposited coin, and electromagnetic vmeans `for actuating said one spring to permit the Vrestorationnf said trigger to itsunoperated position. .Y

5. Coin controlled apparatus comprising a coin hopper, a trigger pivoted Aexternally of said hopper but projectingtherein for operation by a deposited coin, said trigger beingV biased Yto its normal position, a cam forming a part Vof said trigger, a Contact spring pile-up, one of said springs pressing against said cam portion when said trigger is in its normal position `and restraining the return of said trigger to its normal position after said trigger has been moved by a deposited coin, a pair of electromagnetic elements, abridgetherebetween, an armature pivoted to said bridge, means responsive to a clockwise movement of said armature for actuating said springs to permit said trigger to be restored from its operated position to its normal position, and a second means responsive toa counter-clockwise movement of said armature for actuating said springs to permit said trigger to be restored from its operated position to its normal position.

6. In combination, an electromagnet comprising a pair of electromagnetic elements, a bridge therebetween, an armature, pivots in said bridge upon which said armature is rotatably mounted, a pair of independently movable levers supported on said armature pivots and adapted to be singly and selectively actuated by said armature, one of said levers being actuated upwardly by a clockwise movement of said armature and the second of said levers being actuated upwardly by a counter-clockwise movement of said armature, a contact spring pile-up mounted on said bridge above said levers, and a pivoted member actuated by the movement of said rst lever for operating the contact springs of said pile-up when said armature is moved clockwise, said member being actuated by movement of said second lever for operating the contact springs of said pile-up when said armature is moved counter-clockwise.

7 Coin controlled apparatus comprising a coin hopper, a trigger pivoted externally of said hopper but projecting therein for operation by a deposited coin, said trigger being biased to its unoperated position, a cam forming a part of said trigger, a spring pile-up, said cam in its normal position contacting directly with one of the springs of said pile-up to hold open the electrical contacts of said pile-up while permitting said onespring to close said electrical contacts when said trigger is moved to its operated position, said one spring restraining the return of said trigger to its unoperated position after the trigger has been moved to its operated position, and electromagnetic means for actuating said one spring to permit the restoration of said trigger to its unoperated position.

OSCAR A. SHANN. 

